"Seen's" at the Fair

 

I have a feeling this little darling is going to make some friends at the county fair. 

No shyness here.  Instead, a welcoming stance suggesting that staying on all fours in a pen is just too boring. 

Get up there and greet the public and add a little spice to your life. 

That's the impression I got while strolling through the goat and sheep barn.  

So, I stopped and had a little chat with the adorable fair entry. 

After a busy day dominated by a class reunion committee meeting and other related items , I made a quick trip to the fairgrounds and a cursory round of several fair exhibits last evening.  

I still can't figure out how people produce ripe pumpkins this early and other impressive produce when my only real garden success so far has come with my green beans. 

This is an interesting year for me as the produce that has appeared has been high quality, but the numbers just aren't there. 

 

That even includes the pumpkins, which I planted earlier than ever this year.  So far, I've found only three or four under all those big leaves.  Last year's harvest netted more than two dozen. 

All mystifying, but it still hasn't taken away from the pure enjoyment and great taste of gardening.

My trip around the grounds took me to the main exhibit building where superintendents Rebecca Hawkins and Roxie Lawther were finishing up recording and placing awards on the flower exhibits. 

I also went to the photography section and saw that Bill had won a white ribbon on his photograph. That means we'll split a dollar of prize money.  

A trip to the livestock area revealed 4-H'ers putting up barn decorations, exhibitors unloading animals, others feeding their goats and sheep, etc. and some kids being reminded that they needed to get some work done. 

As usual, this year's pile of straw bales had lured its share of participants. 

The overall scene appeared to be that of the last-minute rush before today's official opening of the fair. 

Last night's trip, as always, took me back to memory lane with my unruly cows, my less than stellar sewing projects and my humiliating moments as an awkward and clumsy adolescent who in the annual 4-H style reviews. 

Good and bad memories came out of every year's Bonner County Fair participation but the event also inspired a steadfast and lifelong belief in the everlasting value of participating in the county fair for both kids and adults alike.

Lots of formative stuff, lots of lessons and disappointments and triumphs but most important, a feeling of belonging within a temporary happening that always brought folks together and forged friendships from all pockets of the county. 

That's pretty priceless. 

Enjoy the photos. 

Happy Tuesday.